CITN calls for effective implementation of Tax Reform Bills

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called for the effective implementation of the tax reform bills. Mr Samuel Agbeluyi, the 16th president of the institute, said this would not only consolidate recent policy moves by the federal government, such as the fuel subsidy removal, but also set Nigeria on a path towards […]

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called for the effective implementation of the tax reform bills.

Mr Samuel Agbeluyi, the 16th president of the institute, said this would not only consolidate recent policy moves by the federal government, such as the fuel subsidy removal, but also set Nigeria on a path towards long-term economic stability.

Agbeluyi said this during the 33rd Annual General Meeting at the Tax Professionals’ House, Alausa, Ikeja.

This year’s AGM marked not only a review of CITN’s progress over the last year, but also a leadership transition as Mr Innocent Ohagwa was named the incoming president, succeeding Mr Samuel Agbeluyi.

In his opening remarks, Mr Samuel Agbeluyi gave a comprehensive review of the presidential year, highlighting the challenges faced and the Institute’s remarkable strides.

Under his leadership, CITN hosted the 27th Annual Tax Conference with 3,671 participants; inaugurated new district societies across Nigeria and the diaspora, including Maiduguri, Lafia, and North America; and admitted 2,836 new members.

In the past year, the institute also launched professional training programmes, expanded collaborations with stakeholders like ANAN, ICAN, and EFCC, and introduced taxation into the academic curriculum of 27 tertiary institutions.

The CITN Tax Academy trained four cohorts of Gambia Revenue Authority officials, and the Institute’s Catch Them Young and Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT) initiatives further reinforced its inclusive and educational mission.

One of the critical topics discussed at the AGM was the institute’s involvement in national tax reform.

Agbeluyi praised the tax reform bills currently awaiting presidential assent, describing them as a “major positive document that will shape the face of the Nigerian economy.”

He, however, stressed that implementation must precede any changes. “Let’s implement what has been passed into law. The implementation will give us insight into areas that may require some amendment,” Agbeluyi said, noting that subsequent changes could come through the annual Finance Act process.

While addressing tax professionals in both public and private sectors, Ohagwa emphasised the ethical obligation of tax practitioners to the nation.

“They have an obligation to themselves, to their clients and to the Nigerian society,” he said. “Tax is both domestic and foreign. So, we need to do it right and ensure that, at the end of the day, tax is used as a tool to stabilise the economy, promote competitiveness and raise revenue,” he added.

Agbeluyi thanked members of the institute for their support during his time in the office and reaffirmed the noble mission behind service to the tax profession.

Looking to the future, he also expressed full confidence in Mr Ohagwa’s leadership, stating that he was handing over to a good man and was certain that the institute was in safe hands.